Greater Lawrence Technical School student Saviel Ortiz is one of five Massachusetts high school seniors nominated as a Career and Technical Education Presidential Scholar.
Ortiz was selected as a state finalist by Education Commissioner Jeff Riley this month. Each year, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes a maximum of 161 of the country’s most exceptional students. The program was expanded to include and celebrate the accomplishments of students studying career and technical education in 2015.
“To even be nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar is a tremendous honor, and Saviel is incredibly deserving of this recognition,” Superintendent John Lavoie said. “In his years here at GLTS, he has demonstrated a deep dedication to his studies and wonderful capabilities as a leader.”
“While Saviel’s accomplishments speak for themselves, there is so much more to him as an individual,” Guidance Counselor Diana Casado wrote in Ortiz’s nomination letter. “Saviel is well rounded, hardworking and compassionate.”
A Business Technology student, Ortiz began a co-op as a bank specialist at Reading Cooperative Bank this fall, which he plans to continue throughout the school year. In addition to his co-op, Ortiz holds various leadership roles as vice president of both the school’s National Honor Society and the GLTS Class of 2020. He is also captain of the GLTS swim team, and a member of the school’s “Interact” community service club and a Youth Ambassador at Top Notch Scholars.
“The Business Technology career area has prepared me with training in professional communication, accounting and leadership skills which I now apply in my co-op position as a bank specialist at Reading Cooperative Bank,” Ortiz said. “This school has allowed me to practice many of the leadership skills that I have acquired in my roles with the National Honor Society, the class of 2020 vice president and captain of the swim team.”
He plans on studying finance or business management next fall.
In 2017, Ortiz’s brother, Alkenly Ortiz, was named also a Presidential Scholar semi-finalist.